Newman, Richner elected to Board of Regents

By Kevin Bergquist

A love for U-M brought one regent back for
another term, while the desire to give something
back to his alma mater drew a newcomer to the University's governing body.

Fischer Newman

Andrea Fischer Newman and Andrew C. Richner, both Republicans, were elected
Nov. 5 to the Board of Regents to serve eight-year terms. Fischer Newman
was re-elected to her second term on the board, while Richner will serve
on the board for the first time after 12 years as a state legislator.

A 1979 U-M graduate and alumna of the
George Washington University National Law Center,
Fischer Newman currently serves as senior vice
president-government affairs for Northwest Airlines. A
legal specialist in government contracts, she was
appointed in February to the Federal Services Impasses
Panel by President George W. Bush.

"I am thrilled to be coming back and
continuing to work with the board and our new
president," says Fischer Newman, who lives in Ann Arbor.
"I love the University of Michigan and I love being
involved in its future. I feel privileged to be a part
of it, and felt I could contribute something. I am
passionate about the University."

Richner

Fischer Newman says she has learned a lot in
her eight years on the board about what she calls
a "very complex and phenomenal university."

Fischer Newman, who says developing the Life Sciences Initiative and keeping the University
affordable to all Michigan residents are her
priorities, recalls her first year on the board, when
former president James J. Duderstadt resigned in
Sept. 1995.

"It was quite an awakening, and it was scary to be in that position
and be responsible for choosing a president," Fischer Newman says.
"During that process, the board came together very well and chose
a terrific president. Now, we just went
through the process again and I think we have another great president."

Richner takes the place of regent Daniel D. Horning, whose term expires
Dec. 31. Horning was elected to the board in 1994 with Newman, but did
not seek a second term.

"This was an extremely close election decided by
a razor-thin margin," says Richner, who beat
Democratic challenger Greg Stephens by
approximately 8,000 votes. "I felt like [Michigan
place-kicker] Philip Brabbs coming in to kick the 44-yard field
goal [against Washington] to win the close game."

Richner is serving his third and final term as
a member of the Michigan House of Representatives for Detroit, the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods.
Chair of the Insurance and Financial Services Committee and an attorney, Richner holds bachelor
of business administration and J.D. degrees from
the University.

"I look forward to serving on the board, and it
will be a welcome change from partisan politics. I
have always felt a special responsibility and obligation
to do what I could to support the University,"
says Richner, a resident of Grosse Pointe Park. "I
believe I have something to offer the University in return
for what it has given to me."

Richner says the University should use its reputation
and resources to be a catalyst for economic development,
and should be more active in urban affairs and issues. His
platform included stabilizing tuition increases and
seeking new sources of revenue and funding for the
University. He says his relationship with the
Legislature can help the University, which faces decreased
funding from the state.

"I have fought for higher education and am
proud of the fact that since I have been in the
Legislature, we have increased funding every year for our
colleges and universities in the state," Richner says.
"Times are going to be tough, but I understand
the process and have the relationships necessary to
represent the University and interests of higher education."